I was watching the sun set from a hot tub on the west coast of florida last night, and a riveting conversation developed. The conversation was about how entrepreneurs experience (or should experience) fear. I realize that conversation in that setting may make me a tad bit nerdy, but I know you love me for it. If I wasn’t a nerd for this stuff, how would I write daily blog posts on it?

Anyway, fear for entrepreneurs. Most people assume that being an entrepreneur requires brass balls and a complete fearlessness. I think entrepreneurs with brass balls end up getting them seized by the bank. When you’re in business for yourself everything you do has the potential to destroy you (and the friends and family you talked in to investing), successful entrepreneurs are keenly aware of this.

The best entrepreneurs are able to acknowledge the stakes and make the brave move only when the opportunity is so great that they can get past the fear. This process requires being able to seperate fear from anxiety from procrastination from excuses from pessimism; but it certainly doesn’t require losing fear.